What it will cost tax payers for the recently nominated CAS positions

President William Ruto’s Chief Administrative Secretaries (CAS) could cost the taxpayers about KES 2 billion on salaries alone, in the Kenya Kwanza government’s first term.

Ruto has nominated 50 candidates for the CAS positions and the names have been forwarded to parliament for approval. This is double the number of positions that existed in the previous government.

The monthly salary for a CAS is KES 765,188, as prescribed by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission. Therefore the total monthly salary for all 50 nominees will be KES 38,259,400.

In addition, each CAS is entitled to a one-off mortgage payment of KES 35 million and a KES 10 million car grant, adding take home to KES 990 million.

The Cabinet Adminstrative Secretaries will also have access to  KES 10 million and KES 3 million for inpatients and outpatient medical cover for a CAS, courtesy of taxpayers.

Other costs include administrative costs such as those of personnel such as secretaries, drivers and bodyguards.

The Chief Administrative Secretaries positions were first created by former president Uhuru Kenyatta during his second term.

According to Public Service Commission (PSC), the CAS will be responsible to the Cabinet Secretary in the performance of his/her duties.

The responsibilities include responding to issues/questions touching on the portfolio assigned to the office, providing liaison with the National Assembly and Senate, providing liaison with county governments on matters of concurrent mandate and providing inter-ministerial /sectoral coordination.

Others duties are representing the CS at any meeting as instructed and executing any other duties and responsibilities specifically assigned to the office by the Cabinet Secretary.

Kenya’s public wage bill has been alarmingly high over the years and it’s, therefore, a great worry for taxpayers to see this further ballooning, especially at a time the country is contending with high inflation, high rates of unemployment  and reduced incomes.

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